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Thursday, May 23, 2013

A big Texas shout-out to Dallas Portrait Society member, Carol Devereaux, who won a Purchase Award and Best of Show at the Richardson Civic Art Society's 47th Regional Juried Art Exhibition for her pastel portrait, "Expecting!"

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's College of Visual and Performing Arts and the UMHB Department of Art are pleased to presentDILLARD3an exhibition featuring the artwork of three creative cousins who have a special connection with UMHB, Doug Dillard, Don Dillard, and Gene Dillard.

An Opening Reception will take place on Thursday, May 16 at 5:00 p.m.

The exhibit opens on May 16 and continues through June 26, 2013, at the Baugh Center for the Visual Arts Art Gallery. Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Baugh Center for the Visual Arts is located on the corner of 9th and Shine streets on the UMHB campus, Belton, Texas. Admission is free.

About Us

Gene Dillard

Gene is a native of Bartlett, Texas, and graduated from Bartlett High School. He attended Baylor University, received a Bachelors Degree in Art from the University of Texas at Austin and a Degree in Fine Art from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. In addition to a life-long pursuit of fine art and painting, he engaged in a long career with major advertising agencies.

Gene's mother, Ellen Ford Dillard, attended UMHB in 1927. His two sisters, Margaret Dillard Burns Behrens and Janis Dillard McMullen, graduated with degrees in music in the 1960s. And his wife's sister, Sue Allen May, also attended UMHB in the 1960s.

Don Dillard Don is a native of Temple, Texas. He graduated from Temple High School as well as Temple College, prior to attending the Texas A&M College of Architecture.

He met his future wife, Camille Munk, on a blind date at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor while working for a Temple architect. They married a year later and lived in College Station while he completed his studies. Camille received her degree from UMHB and has been an active alumni since her graduation. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees.

Doug Dillard Doug is native of Temple, Texas. He graduated from Temple High School, Baylor University andSouthwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He collected many honors as a pioneer in church public relations and communications but is best known for his "Brother Blotz" cartoons and 30 years as editorial cartoonist for The Baptist Standard.

He returned to his Bell County roots in 2007 to marry JoAn Musick-Dillard 72 years after she turned down his first proposal when they were 5-year-old neighbors. JoAn, a long-time trustee and benefactor of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, was awarded honorary Doctor of Humanitiesdegree in 1995.

The Historic Downtown Plano Association, with a goal to highlight and bring attention to the character and personality the exciting downtown Plano district, has sponsored this year long project. The Assistance Center of Collin County is the designated charity for the downtown association and will be the beneficiary of the sale of the portraits.

The reception on May 11 included a presentation of the portraits by oil painter Gene Dillard and photographer Gaby Pruitt of Downtown Plano's Rail Station Studios, the creators of the portraits.

Remarks were offered by Frank Turner, Deputy City Manager of Plano; Bonnie Shea, President of the Historical Downtown Plano Association; Chief Brain Crawford, Plano Fire Department Chief; and Tanya Sastoque, Executive Direct or of the Assistance Center of Colin County. Portraits of each of these individuals are also subjects in the exhibition.

Visit Rail Station Studios any time and enjoy seeing our unique exhibits of figurative art, photography and landscapes. We will also be glad to share information helpful to you in considering commissioning a portrait to honor a family member, an associate or someone to whom you wish to pay tribute. We also will have a variety of exhibitions throughout the year for you to view. We'll keep you posted.

We would appreciate your sharing our Facebook page with your friends to help spread the word about Rail Station Studios and Legacy Portrait Painters.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Lenore Prud'Homme of Houston, TX, is this month's Spotlight Artist. If you would like to be in the spotlight, please email your information to Anna at annarosebain@gmail.com

Artist Biography:

Artist Lenore Prud'Homme

Lenore Prud'Homme is of French and Italian heritage, born in
Louisiana, but grew up in Odessa, Texas and claims Texas as her home. She
graduated from Permian High School and received a full scholarship in art to
the University of Texas in Austin, where she earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts
degree in sculpture and drawing. Lenore was the first student at The University
of Texas to cast in bronze. After
college, the well known sculptor , Charles Umlauf became her mentor, and in the summer of 1969
she was given one of Mr. Umlauf’s commissions for a bust of the Director of the
American Red Cross.

Years of modeling and drawing the human form developed her
passion for figurative work and portraits.

Lenore was hired by the University of Texas Health Science
Center in San Antonio as a medical illustrator from 1969 – 1973. Four years
there exposed her to the inner workings of the human form as well as graphic
and scientific illustrations.

After a 33 year marriage, 2 children and numerous philantrophic
endeavors as a pioneer in The Woodlands, Texas in the early 80’s, Lenore found
an old abandoned farmstead in Round Top, Texas and set about creating her 3 dimensional canvas called the Outpost @
Cedar Creek Inn. Here she fulfilled a hidden talent for restoration , design
and hospitality.

Her efforts have been acknowledged in numerous publications
and she has won several awards in the hospitality industry. Her inn was selected by the number 1 travel
book, 1000 Places to See Before YouDie. The inn has recently been purchased
by Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic Couture, and Lenore has set up a studio in Houston,
Texas to begin her commissioned portrait
work and figurative painting.

She has come full circle and is more passionate than ever
about her figure and portrait work.

Interview with Spotlight Artist for May, Lenore Prud'Homme:

1) When and how did you first became seriously interested in art? I started my love of art very early as a child doing paint by number kits of all things, on my bedroom floor. When I had an opportunity to take art classes in school, I was hooked and rather quickly gained a reputation.

2) What is your training, and what medium(s) / subject matter do you work in? I was fortunate to have had a full scholarship in art to The University of Texas in Austin. I wanted to get my degree in painting , but , alas, the department was too avant garde for me and I ended up majoring in sculpture and drawing, hence my love of the figure and portraits. I find myself, this late in life, having the time, now to devote to honing painting skills. My love is oil medium.

3) What do you express in your work? As my work evolves, I am constantly attempting to incorporate the elements that I admire in other artists' works and from study in selective workshops. I am beginning to realize that my portrait style is becoming fresh with a breath of air.

4) What artists/professionals have been your biggest influences? My greatest admiration is for Sargent and his ilk, who is everyone's paradigm it seems. I am in awe of the works of Schmid.

Gracelyn, by Lenore Prud'Homme

5) What do you do to gain new inspiration for your work? My inspiration , now that I have time to devote to my art, is drawing, drawing and more drawing. Workshops are my interest currently, to learn as much as I can from differing executioners. The model and figure are forever an inspiration.

6) What would you like to be doing with your art ten years from now? Hopefully, 10 years from now, my diligent effort will bring forth a portrait that is second nature to execute to where I can continue to explore possibilites. I hope to have commissions lined up, especially of children.

7) Do you set goals for yourself concerning the making of your art? My goals are to continue to draw and gain a reputation as a fine artist.

8) Are you happy with your job choice as an artist? Do you have any regrets in this career choice or things you would have done differently?I am realizing that professional artists are some of the happiest people I encounter. Those who are on the journey seem frustrated and must keep searching. I am in the early stage of art as a career, even this late in life, but I finally have the time to give it the attention it demands to reach my goals.

9) Any fun or interesting facts about yourself that you'd like to share?I weave my art into my daily life in many ways: decorating, designing anything, cooking, sewing and dressing.